Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I have a 2005 gen 3 did with full OME suspension. I am trying to find a way to increase the clearance between the engine and the ground. Won't be fitting new tires any time soon. Is there something I can tune on the suspension like torsion bars. Not sure what can be tuned with independend front suspentions. It would have been nice if I could fit full air suspension like the Landrovers but it would seem there is no such option for the Pajero.

Spacers on the coils will give you increased height but can lead to cv joint stress. Why do you want more clearance? The gen 3 Pajero with the suspension lift that you have is pretty decent already I think?

CATS

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My current clearance between ground and the bash plate is 221mm and the bash plate is 4mm. That is the only part that I have an issue with. When coming downhill when offroading, that is the part that tend to scrape. Even with taking different lines. It would be fantastic to get another 2cm or so height increase if at all possible. It would also seem that my PJ’s clearance is less than others.

I take it now reply means there is nothing I can set except bigger tyres?

HI Jaco
A Pajero Gen 3 & 4 are somewhat limited with regard to increasing ground clearance, as they have a monocoque chassis, not a body on ladder chassis as a Prado, fortuner, Nissan hardbody etc. have, onto which they can install nylon spacers relatively cheaply between body and chassis for more ground clearance.

SO one has 3 options with the Pajero Gen 3&4 -
1. Large Profile tyres - Cons - loss of power due to larger tyre circumference, cheapest option if you have to replace your tyres now, approx R300 more per tyre for next profile size up. Will only be marginal increase in clearance – 10-15mm.
2. Suspension upgrade –
a. Strut/spring Spacers (Speak to Uys on 4x4 community), I did this mod, it is the second cheapest and you keep the supple ride of the standard Paj suspension. (approx. R2k + fitment for a 50mm lift IIRC)
b. Longer springs (Ironman, OME, etc.), Improved articulation due to longer spring travel – depending on set used one might experience a harsher ride (Iron man especially) (R8-12k)
3. Sub frame lift – as seen on the Artic trucks, consists of inserting spacers between suspension sub frame and chassis mounting points. Cons – prohibitively expensive due to extensive modifications required to propshafts, brakelines, etc – approx. R50k!!!

I have the 50mm lift stofpad spacers I bought from CATS on the forum, he already has 50mm lift on his OME springs, and when he fitted the spacers his CV joints took a pounding at the extreme angles they were running, so he sold them – Very good quality item. I have 270mm clearance under my front bashplate between my front wheels, which is my lowest point, and this with standard springs still in. I have been running like this for 20 000km, my CV’s seem very happy. Your 221mm clearance sound like standard clearance(factory was 230mm)? Are you sure you have OME in? Also the standard springs sag with time especially if you have a winch or aftermarket front bumper.
Good luck.

HI Jaco
A Pajero Gen 3 & 4 are somewhat limited with regard to increasing ground clearance, as they have a monocoque chassis, not a body on ladder chassis as a Prado, fortuner, Nissan hardbody etc. have, onto which they can install nylon spacers relatively cheaply between body and chassis for more ground clearance.

SO one has 3 options with the Pajero Gen 3&4 -
1. Large Profile tyres - Cons - loss of power due to larger tyre circumference, cheapest option if you have to replace your tyres now, approx R300 more per tyre for next profile size up. Will only be marginal increase in clearance – 10-15mm.
2. Suspension upgrade –
a. Strut/spring Spacers (Speak to Uys on 4x4 community), I did this mod, it is the second cheapest and you keep the supple ride of the standard Paj suspension. (approx. R2k + fitment for a 50mm lift IIRC)
b. Longer springs (Ironman, OME, etc.), Improved articulation due to longer spring travel – depending on set used one might experience a harsher ride (Iron man especially) (R8-12k)
3. Sub frame lift – as seen on the Artic trucks, consists of inserting spacers between suspension sub frame and chassis mounting points. Cons – prohibitively expensive due to extensive modifications required to propshafts, brakelines, etc – approx. R50k!!!

I have the 50mm lift stofpad spacers I bought from CATS on the forum, he already has 50mm lift on his OME springs, and when he fitted the spacers his CV joints took a pounding at the extreme angles they were running, so he sold them – Very good quality item. I have 270mm clearance under my front bashplate between my front wheels, which is my lowest point, and this with standard springs still in. I have been running like this for 20 000km, my CV’s seem very happy. Your 221mm clearance sound like standard clearance(factory was 230mm)? Are you sure you have OME in? Also the standard springs sag with time especially if you have a winch or aftermarket front bumper.
Good luck.